These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand^(B) and walks among the seven golden lampstands.^(C)

² I know your deeds,^(A) your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested^(B) those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.^(C)

⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.^(A)

⁶ But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans,^(A) which I also hate.